While I agree with your contention that a simple "Merry Christmas" (or "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy Ramadan") should not offend anyone, I don't think it is over-sensitive atheists who pose the biggest threat to the role of this holiday in North American culture, nor any perceived decline of its representation in stores or at schools.
If anything, the biggest threat is the willingness of Christians to let their own faith wither and to allow this sacred holiday to become nothing more than a secular shopping marathon. (Granted, who has time for the sacred when there's people to trample at Walmart on Black Friday?)
The next time you hear a Christian complaining about Christmas being "taken away from them" by atheists, ask them to explain the central significance of Nikalaos of Myra to this holiday. Their likely inability to answer that question is all the indication you need of how empty-headed an occasion Christmas has become.
James Deagle
Ottawa, Ontario
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
